COLUMBUS — It came as no surprise when economists said in late November that the American economy is, indeed, in the throes of recession. Has been for nearly a year, they asserted.
And the public just laughed, almost congratulating the government for seeing what most average Joe’s pocketbook was already showing.
But for one section of the […]

SALEM, Ohio — Customer demand for more space allowed Simmons Grain Company, on the south side of Salem, to recently complete a massive expansion.
According to Jeff Simmons, who owns and operates the business with his family, the new equipment includes three storage bins, a load-out bin, new grain dryer and dump pit, and a 140-foot […]

Southwestern Pennsylvania fair exhibitors earned highest bids across region; new records set in hogs, steers.

SALEM, Ohio — What happens in California doesn’t necessarily stay in California — and that should have farmers nationwide waiting with their eyes wide open.
In this week’s election, Golden State voters passed an initiative that bans several tried-and-true ag production tools, including gestation crates, laying hen cages and veal crates.
Ag groups on the lookout warn […]

See how the 2008 election will affect the Obama Administration’s Cabinet positions, as well as the balance of power in the House and Senate.

Former USDA Secretary Mike Johanns, who resigned from his position in September 2007 to seek a seat in the U.S. Senate, was elected to that position. He succeeds Sen. Chuck Hagel, whose […]

SALEM, Ohio — No matter if they appeared to support him during the campaign or not, many ag groups have issued statements in the past week regarding Barack Obama’s historic election as the 44th President of the United States. Here, their thoughts on what issues are most important to the new administration, and where the […]

RAVENNA, Ohio — Farmer Don Smith and the City of Ravenna were applauded for their natural resource conservation efforts when the Portage Soil and Water Conservation District held its annual meeting Nov. 6 at the Maplewood JVS.
Cooperation
Smith, who farms near Rootstown with his wife, Pam, was recognized for years of working with the […]

If merged, JBS would become the largest U.S. beef packer, with price implications on the farm and at the grocery store.

SALEM, Ohio — The price of anhydrous ammonia is up 55 percent. Straight urea, up 67 percent. Potash isn’t cheap either, up 55 percent. And those are just the increases recorded in the last six months.
There have been astronomical increases across the board in fertilizer prices in the past months, and reason enough for farmers […]